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Regional Reviews: Other Regions Hamlet Also see Gil's reviews of Something Rotten! and Harmony
When the King dies suddenly, his son, Prince Hamlet, is devastated. A ghostly image that resembles his father informs Hamlet that he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who has hastily married the King's widow, Gertrude, and inherited the throne. Hamlet seeks vengeance for his father's murder, yet he struggles to act, even feigning madness, and his hesitation sets in motion a chain of tragic events that ultimately impact everyone around him. Many of Shakespeare's characters are extremely complex yet perhaps why Hamlet is considered one of his greatest achievements is how the main character offers a way of exploring universal human questions. Whether it be Hamlet's unyielding contemplation that stops him from carrying out his revengeful actions or the way Shakespeare presents the tension between action and thought, the play provides an amazing view into the themes of grief, madness, mortality, and the search for meaning, with Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" monologue, which echoes humanity's timeless struggle with existence, the culmination of all of these elements. Shakespeare also presents the characters as ambiguous, with Hamlet one of the most layered and psychologically complex characters in drama. All of these aspects make the play feel incredibly modern even though it was written over four centuries ago. Director Beth Lopes instills an energetic and fairly fast-paced sense to the production while, fortunately, keeping the setting in the original time period, with Bill Black's detailed costumes and the rich, wooden set by Apollo Mark Weaver adding to the historical setting of a castle in medieval Denmark. Michael Gilliam's lighting is moody and vibrant, and the original music and sound design by John Nobori enhance the ethereal feeling; the ending moment is incredibly eerie and effective. Lopes also ensures the humorous moments are intact and not given short shift, which helps to balance out the more dramatic scenes while also providing a sense of realism to the production. Hamlet is a role that is infused with layered and introspective dialogue, while going through a psychological transformation. When we first meet Hamlet, he's in mourning and grieving his father, yet once he learns of the truth behind his father's death, he becomes a rebellious, energetic, and humorous character, even blood thirsty with a vengeance. Walter Kmiec, who was flawless as Macbeth last season, expertly navigates his way through the many nuances of the role while ensuring many of Shakespeare's most famous lines and witty wordplay receive a natural delivery. While a few of the lines receive an almost nonchalant tone and cadence, Kmiec's "To be, or not to be" monologue is flawless and he clearly has a firm control of this multi-layered character and a natural command of the language, resulting in an expert portrayal of this beloved character. The supporting cast are all excellent. John Keabler and Mare Trevathan infuse Claudius and Gertrude, respectively, with a poignancy and deeply calculated moves. Kathryn Tkel instills Ophelia with radiance but also a feeling of melancholy that makes her descent into madness, once she's rejected by Hamlet and her father is killed, seem authentic. As Laertes, Ophelia's brother, Blake Henri delivers a powerful performance full of a range of emotions; his fight with Kmiec in Act Two is superbly delivered under Caitlyn Herzlinger's fight choreography. Changing the sex of Hamlet's friend Horatio adds dimension to the role and Kayland Jordan is radiant in the part, bringing a deep sense of friendship to her relationship with Kmiec's Hamlet. John Harrell and Thom Rivera round out the main cast as Polonius and King Hamlet, each delivering performances that are commanding, with Harrell providing a few appropriate pops of humor and Rivera's depiction of the ghost of Hamlet's father quite moving. The ensemble play a few smaller roles with ease. Hamlet is both an intimate depiction of the inner turmoil one man faces as well as a sweeping tragedy about the devastating cost of revenge. With a beautiful performance by Walter Kmiec in the title role, affecting portrayals from the entire cast, nuanced direction, and rich creative elements, Utah Shakespeare Festival's Hamlet is a superb rendering of Shakespeare's epic tragedy. Hamlet runs through September 4, 2026, at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, Southern Utah University, 195 W Center St, Cedar City UT. For tickets and information, please visit www.bard.orgor call 800-752-9849. Director: Beth Lopes Cast (In order of appearance): |
